Honeymoon planning timeline: what to book when
A calm, month-by-month guide to planning your honeymoon, so the best rooms are still yours and nothing is left to the week of the wedding.
Wedding planning takes over everything, and the honeymoon is often the last thing to be booked. That’s a shame, because the best villas and the most romantic rooms tend to go first. Here’s the timeline we follow with couples.
9 to 12 months before: dream and decide
- Agree on the feeling. Beach and stillness? Adventure? Cities and food? Or a little of each?
- Set a total budget for flights, stays, experiences and a little extra for the unexpected.
- Choose your dates, and check the season at your destination. A dream island in the rainy season isn’t a dream.
- Shortlist two or three destinations. This is where we can help most: we compare the realistic options and recommend one clear plan.
6 to 9 months before: book the big things
- Book your stays. Villas with private pools and overwater rooms sell out early, especially in peak season.
- Book flights once your stays are confirmed. Check that names match your passports exactly. If one of you is changing surname, book in your current names.
- Mention it’s your honeymoon. Many hotels add a small touch, and some of our partner hotels offer perks such as an upgrade or breakfast.
3 to 6 months before: papers and plans
- Check passports are valid for at least six months after you return.
- Apply for visas if you need them.
- Check vaccinations and health advice for your destination with your doctor.
- Buy travel insurance that covers cancellation.
- Book the special experiences: a private dinner on the beach, a balloon flight, a spa day.
1 to 2 months before: the details
- Confirm every booking and reconfirm transfers.
- Share dietary needs and requests with each hotel: halal dining, a quiet room, twin beds pushed together, anything at all.
- Plan the first night carefully. After a wedding, you’ll want an easy arrival, not a 3am connection.
The week before
- Download your documents and keep printed copies.
- Pack light: you’ll want room for things you find along the way.
- Save one WhatsApp number for anything that comes up while you’re away.
Or, let us do it
When we plan a honeymoon, we take care of every step on this list, and stay with you on WhatsApp from the first idea until you’re home. You only need to tell us what you’re dreaming of. See A Zanzibar honeymoon for one idea.
